Jurgen Klopp admitted he was "not satisfied" with Liverpool's performance after they survived a late scare to draw 0-0 at Augsburg in Thursday's Europa League round-of-32 first leg.
The Reds were unable to take their chances at the WWK Arena in southern Germany, and were almost punished when Augsburg substitute Ji Dong-won struck a post with five minutes left.
Daniel Sturridge had earlier failed to connect properly in front of goal when Roberto Firmino and James Milner combined to set him up early in the second half, and had another effort deflected and saved.
Firmino, too, saw a deflected shot saved by Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz, but Reds manager Klopp was frustrated at some passive play from his side and at their inability to sustain pressure -- even if they have a decent chance to win the tie in next Thursday's second leg.
"We should be realistic: The result is good in a European first leg away game, that's absolutely OK," Klopp told BT Sport after the match.
"Our performance -- we had a few good moments, we could have scored goals, but as a complete game I'm not satisfied, to be honest. There was a lot more in the game."
Klopp said that not putting together a 90-minute performance had offered Augsburg a lifeline in the tie, revealing the inconsistency he has been trying to eradicate in his side.
"We fight for consistency -- that's what we fight for and it's a hard fight, it's a long way," Klopp said. "Playing like this [up and down], even in the game, and it's wow, wow, wow, then 'OK, what happened now?' And that's what we have to stop.
"We always let them come a little back into the game and that's not necessary.
"So, first leg, like I said, and we have the rematch next week at Anfield, so that's good for us. But I'm not 100 percent happy about this game."